I've been silent on my blog. Not because I have lost interest or stopped purchasing products... but because I have been on medical leave and am now ready to jump back in. While on my leave, I was inspired to purchase an espresso machine. I did the math on how much I was spending on espresso beverages per day. My go-to $6 espresso x 5 drinks per week.... well that adds up quick, you do the math! I knew it was time to change the game, by getting great espresso, but at a much lower cost. I did some research on different machines and found that the Casabrew Espresso Machine had great reviews and is very simple. It's a 20-bar (pressure) machine, it comes with a single and double shot pods, a tamper, a steam wand cleaner and the water basin can be easily removed! 

A few months ago, I decided to purchase a pack of gel nail stickers and veer away from my usual brand Ohora. They usually have the best gel and last but also look so good. However, due to my part-time customer service job, I can only have nail polish on my days off, so I figured I would go for a 'cheaper' brand. Wokoto gel nails has a lot of not great reviews, so I was pretty skeptical. When I put on my first pair, I had the same issues other did. They came right off while washing my hands, they chipped a bit, and they didn't stay on to begin with. I decide to treat them like I would a high-quality gel set and saw instant result. I filed my nails rough before applying, I applied firmly and then I cured them under a black light. I then finished them with a thin layer of top of coat and BAM! Perfect gel nails that are actually lasting the full week.  I do love the color variety that these come with, and the price makes it worth the extra work. This brand also has marble and some florescent sets. They come in a pack of 20, so for someone like myself who uses them once a week, I will get well over a year's worth. Not bad if you ask me!

If you have been on any social media platform in the last year or two, you have likely heard of Korean skincare and the benefits it provides. To be 100% transparent, I was sent the Jiyu product to simple photograph and make some content for the brand, but decided to try the product... you know it's free, why not? I was blessed with great skin, so I don't use a regular regiment at home. But to my surprise, I can actually feel a difference with this product. I get a 'clean' feel on my face and nice tingle after application. I love that it comes with little tweezers because little things make me giggle. Also, the package was sealed incredibly well, and the reviews have demonstrated that I am not the only one who's impressed. Like any skincare, one or two uses won't give clear evidence that the product works, so I shall report back after some time of using it!

After reviewing the Ice Maker Cleaner tablets by ACTiVE, I was sent some samples for the Messy Kits Stain Remover, the Dishwasher Cleaner and the Disposal cleaning tablets.  I gave all three a try and extremely pleased by how well they worked. What I love about the ACTiVE line is that they use minimal ingredients and they are easy to read and understand. As mentioned before I had purchased the Ice Maker tablets and the washing machine cleaner and was impressed by both.

When I say I have yet to find a great straightener that gets hot enough, straightens and curls with ease... I mean just that. There are hundreds of brands, but how do you find the RIGHT brand? I have been in the market for a straightener that can straighten and curl. For years I believed that I could not curl my hair but recently learned from my stylist that it wasn't that my hair COULDN'T curl.... it was that my straightener and curling irons were not hot enough. Not to mention I wasn't adding the right products to enhance the curl or was adding too much product.

I have a nugget Ice Maker machine that I use EVERY. SINGLE DAY! Not only to encourage more water drinking in my day-to-day, but I also love eating ice, and the nugget ice is softer and less damaging to my teeth. Well, with great Bouge ice and water comes a hassle to clean. Any kind of machine (coffee, Keurig, etc.) that has water flowing through, it is SO important to keep it clean and run a solution often. I do use vinegar on the weeks I am not using an Active tablet. I am making sure to run solution through it every week and every single time it runs out of water, I am scrubbing my machine down. Again, its Bouge and not for the carefree. 

I Started using the Genkent Water Flosser to my oral hygiene routine and I have noticed a huge difference in my overall mouth health and the way it keeps my mouth clean. I wanted to reduce the amount of floss picks I was using. And although I still use them, adding the pressure of the water really makes a difference.  Using a water flosser adds a deeper clean and can done in the same amount of time as traditional flossing. This water flosser performs 1600 pulsations per minute and removes 99% of plaque than manual brushing. I really enjoy modes. It ranges from "gentle" up to "turbo" and boy is it strong! This set also comes with four flossing tips, caps for the tips, a tongue attachment and a C-charger cord. Yep, no more batteries!! I highly recommend this water flosser, and it has made a huge difference in my oral hygiene. Also, can't beat the price! #Sponsored ad

Easter is quickly approaching and there are so many options when it comes to kids easter baskets. For myself personally, I shy away from premade baskets with lots of candy and toys. I find that they bring 'short-term joy' and will likely break and become garbage in a few months anyway. I decided when my oldest was about to celebrate her first Easter that I wanted a personalized basket she could use every year, and I wanted to fill it with items she is going to need. Our most needed item this year was rainboots and we love books, so had to get an Easter inspired book "How to catch the Easter Bunny." Since we do a lot of swimming year-round, this selection is based on those interests, so I added a new swimsuit, sinky starfish and goggles. But if your kiddo is into basketball, or soccer, or ballet, a basket with those items they need anyway, not only validates their interests, but also provides a fun way to give those items to your kids. You could also add something fun they have wanted, but you didn't want to gift for any reason. That is why I add in the Tonie's character. My girls love Tonies, so it adds something interactive they can physically play with.

Unfortunately getting sick is a year-round struggle.... especially with small children in the home. During Fall and Winter, it felt like every week one of us was getting sick. Then Spring shows up and BAM sick again. I like to take a natural approach first when dealing with illness. For me and my kids that includes laying in a hot bath with Epsom salt, putting a hot heating pad where there are aches, breathing in a steamy bathroom, drinking hot herbal teas and even using a Neti pot. 

Keeping your house clean is absolutely essential for an array of reasons. If you have kids and pets, this adds to the work that goes into cleaning your home daily. But sometimes that things that are the dirtiest, are the things you can't see. For a long time, I did not run an air purifier in my home. About a year ago I started to use the Levoit air purifier daily and I have noticed a drastic difference in not only how my house smells, but I feel breathing in my home. The proof of the toxins in the air is right on the filter for me to see. I also love that you can add essential oils into the purifier. Some of my favorites to add are Lemon and Peppermint.  Every time I pull the vacuum out (which is 2-3 times a week for me), I am sure to take my vacuum to the air filter so I can prolong its use. Every three or four months the filter will alert me that it needs to be changed, and I just snag a set on Amazon!

I am huge salad eater in my household. Figuring out how to prolong the life of my salad was a challenge, as I am the only one who eats salad regularly. One of the best tricks I have learned is to keep the lettuce as dry as possible. A Salad Spinner is definitely the way to do that. This is my third or fourth salad spinner I have purchased, and I learned that you can have a quality product and an affordable price. This has been my favorite salad spinner so far. I love the grip on the bottom that allows the spinner to stay grounded on a flat surface while pumping the salad spinner top, and I love that the top pump can be locked and stopped with easy use.